CONFIDENT Hartlepool United chief Chris Turner last night insisted: "Promotion is within our grasp."

Pool entertain Carlisle at Victoria Park this afternoon on the back of an unbeaten run stretching back to November 25 that includes a club record-equalling seven wins on the trot.

Last Tuesday saw the winning run end, but no-one was complaining after the goalless draw at leaders Chesterfield.

And after moving into the play-off zone in midweek, Turner said: "That third spot is within our grasp.

"There will be a scramble for places up at the top, but if we can keep going - even if we lose then bounce back straight away like we did last season - then we can be right up there.

"Our first task is to stay in the top seven, but when we are in there we must push for the top three.

"We have taken four points from two tough away games in the last week when I would have been happy with two draws.

"We are conscious of our away form and know that it is those results which could have got us right up there last season.

"At the start of the season we struggled with injuries and I am sure that if we hadn't suffered like we did we could have been right up there now.''

Influential midfielder Mark Tinkler is fit after suffering a hamstring strain at Saltergate and Turner names the same team for the eighth game in succession.

"Everyone wants to play at the moment,'' said Turner. "Little injuries don't become an issue. The players are very passionate and realise that they could be on the verge of something.

"I said last week that the players are doing the job in the dressing room beforehand themselves. They are aware of what I want and what they have to do - they are the ones geeing each other up.

"I've been in our dressing room at times when we could hear a pin drop, but not now.

"Last week there was a heated discussion between two players at half-time and I had to tell them to calm down in the end - it's not a bad thing and I like it because it shows how much the players care.''

Pool entertain a Carlisle side suffering another miserable season. They are at the foot of the table but have four games in hand on Exter, who are three points in front

Despite their troubles, Turner is not expecting an easy ride.

"I don't expect them to roll over as they are playing for their careers and the future of the club

"The onus is on us to break teams down who come here looking for a point."